Chamber Music Festival brings Shangrow back for Music Lovers Seminar

Contributed by Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival

Mary Poletti introduces Music Lovers’ Seminars by asking questions. “Simply love the music? Curious about the origins and context of a piece of music? Or enjoy the challenge of following the developing theme central to a composer’s work?”

While Catherine Pederson’s motive for attending is because she wants to “hear an overview of the 2009 OICMF Festival from an ebullient, passionate lover of music who has an encyclopedic knowledge of its history, style, composition, performance and performers!”

Music Lovers’ Seminars (MLS) focus on the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s concert programming and the intriguing topics close to the hearts and minds of musicians and music lovers. The seminar occurs just before the opening of Festival ticket sales on May 20^th to help patrons in the selection of concert evenings and to celebrate Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann’s carefully chosen repertoire.

George Shangrow will return to Orcas as OICMF’s highly respected and charming guest lecturer to offer a Music Lovers’ Seminar (MLS) on Saturday, May 9th. 2009 Festival Season dates are: August 16-29. Visiting artists and programming were recently announced by Ms. Friedmann and are now listed on OICMF’s web site at www.oicmf.org. Click on ‘The Season’ then ‘Season Program.’

Music Lovers’ Seminar lecturer Mr. Shangrow is well known for his breadth of historical knowledge blended with contemporary wit and humor. A musician with a broad range of skills as a Conductor and Music Director, George Shangrow founded the Seattle Chamber Singers in 1969 and Orchestra Seattle in 1979. A University of Washington graduate, he began his professional conducting career at age 18. He has conducted world premieres of many operas, orchestral, and choral works and as an educator, he has taught music history, theory, and composition at Seattle University, Seattle Community College, and Seattle Conservatory of Music. Seattle-area music lovers also recognize George as former announcer and host of the Live! By George radio program on Classical KING-FM.

“Music Lovers’ Seminar: Be Ready for Festival ’09” will take place at the St. Francis Catholic Church from 10AM-2PM on Saturday, May 9th. Tuition is $20. Call 376-6636 or e-mail Victoria@oicmf.org or send tuition to PO Box 646, Eastsound. Participants may also register at the door the day of the seminar if space is available. Youth may attend free and are welcome. Bring brown bag lunch for mid-day break. Coffee, tea, water, special snacks prepared by notorious treat makers Mary Poletti, Eileen Pyka, Karen Hedge, and Trisha Loop. Flowers by Velma Doty.